The specialist bank has already made three key appointments in the North to support its property finance division.

The team is led by Neil Leitch, regional director (North), who is based in Consett, County Durham, and will cover the North East.

David Whitehouse (Doncaster) and Paul Fellowes (Wilmslow) have both been appointed as regional lending managers (North) and are responsible for Yorkshire and Humberside, and the North West respectively.

Mark Sismey-Durrant, chief executive at Hampshire Trust Bank, said: “SMEs are forecast to grow their economic contribution significantly over the longer term, which serves as a critical reminder of the important role these businesses play in ensuring the success of the UK.

“The strength of firms based in the North is a trend we intend to be on the ground to support.

“SME housebuilders need to work with a bank that employs experts with specialist knowledge of specific locations and markets, and that's what our northern team will provide.

“We are committed to serving SMEs in the sectors in which we operate.

“We call on the government to keep the spotlight on smaller companies by creating conditions which will support their continued growth, as our research demonstrates how much we need these companies to develop and achieve their ambitions.”